Adams urges support for Finucane Family

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD is in Washington for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This afternoon he spoke with the Congressional Friends of Ireland Committee.

The Sinn Féin leader thanked the congressional leaders for their “diligence and commitment to the peace process over many years” He asked for their continuing support in forcing the British government “to honour the outstanding issues arising out of the Good Friday Agreement, including its breach of its commitment on holding an inquiry into the murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane.”

Speaking after the meeting Mr. Adams said:

“The Weston Park Agreement is an agreement between the Irish and British governments and is part of the process of negotiations following the Good Friday Agreement. The British government agreed to hold a series of inquiries arising out of that agreement, including into the murders of Rosemary Nelson, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright.

“The only outstanding inquiry is that of the killing of Pat Finucane. The British government has refused to hold an independent inquiry and has instead asked for a lawyer to examine the available papers.

“This is unacceptable to the Finucane family who have instituted court proceedings.

“The fact is that the British government has admitted that there was collusion in the killing of Pat Finucane. It should stop obstructing an inquiry and honour its obligations to hold a public inquiry.

“I have asked US congressional leaders to support the family in their endeavour.”

The Sinn Féin leader also raised a number of other outstanding issues arising from the Good Friday Agreement, including a Bill of Rights for the north of Ireland; an all-island Charter of Rights; the establishment of the North/South Inter-parliamentary Forum and North South Consultative Forum; the introduction of an Acht na Gaeilge (Irish language Act) and a resolution to the issue of OTRs. Mr. Adams also raised the cases of Martin Corey, Gerry McGeogh and Marion Price.

The Sinn Féin leader asked for support from the Congressional leaders for inquiries into the Ballymurphy and Springhill Massacres carried out by the British parachute regiment in 1971 and 72.

Deputy Adams also spoke to the Congressional leaders about the Irish government’s planned Constitutional Convention and the issue of the undocumented Irish in the USA and the immigration Bill currently with the Senate.